STEERABLE ELECTRODE CATHETER

摘要

A steerable catheter (8) suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue comprises a catheter shaft (35) with a deflectable tip (16) at the distal end of the shaft. The tip is deflected by means of a shapable handle (24) coupled to pull wires fastened to the distal end of the deflectable tip. A core wire (42) extends from the handle to the distal tip, providing fine positioning of the deflectable tip by applying torque through the core wire to the tip. A spring tube (58) is further provided in the deflectable tip for improved torque transmission and kink-resistance. The catheter has an electrode at the distal end of the deflectable tip for positioning at a target site and applying RF power to accomplish ablation.